Bella looked up at Edward, her cheeks rosy from the cold and the excitement of the evening. "We should take some pictures," she suggested, her eyes bright with joy. "Maybe some selfies, and then we could ask someone to take a picture of us by the tree? I'd love to have some memories of this day. We haven't got any pictures of us yet"
Edward smiled at her, his heart swelling at how happy she looked. "That's a great idea," he agreed, reaching into his pocket for his phone. "We definitely need to capture this."
They huddled together, with Edward crouching so they could be cheek to cheek, and he extended his arm to take a selfie. Bella beamed at the camera, her eyes sparkling with happiness, while Edward's smile was warm and genuine. The twinkling lights of the market and the massive Christmas tree in the background made the picture perfect. They took a few more, pulling funny faces and laughing at their attempts to capture the best angle.
After a few selfies, Bella spotted a kind-looking older couple nearby, bundled up in their own winter coats and scarves. She approached them with a friendly smile. "Excuse me," she asked politely, holding up the phone. "Would you mind taking a picture of us by the tree?"
The couple agreed with delighted smiles, and Bella rushed back to Edward's side. They stood in front of the giant, sparkling tree, its lights casting a warm, golden glow around them. Edward wrapped his arm around Bella's waist, pulling her close as she leaned into him, her head resting against his arm. They both smiled brightly at the camera, capturing a moment that felt magical and perfect.
"One, two, three… smile!" the woman called, snapping several pictures. She handed the phone back to Bella, who quickly scrolled through the shots. They were beautiful—perfectly capturing the joy of the evening and the warmth of their connection.
"Thank you so much," Bella said to the couple, her voice filled with gratitude.
The woman gave a knowing smile. "You two look wonderful together. Merry Christmas!"
Bella blushed as Edward thanked them, wishing them a Merry Christmas as well. Once the couple had walked away, she showed him the photos. "These are perfect," she said softly, her eyes lingering on the image of them, happy and wrapped up in each other's arms. "I'm so glad we have these."
Edward nodded, his smile tender as he looked at the photos. "Me too," he said, kissing the top of her head. "It's a night I'll never forget."
Bella slipped her arm through his, holding him close as they continued to stroll through the market. Every moment felt like a gift, and now, with the photos to look back on, she knew they had captured the magic of this night forever.
As they wandered back toward the bustling food stalls, Bella couldn't help but be drawn to the mouthwatering scent of grilled sausages wafting through the air. She nudged Edward playfully, her stomach giving a little growl in response. "How about we get one of those Bratwurst hot dogs?" she suggested with a bright smile. "I keep smelling them, and they're making me hungry." She giggled, admitting shyly, "I've never had one before."
Edward looked at her in mock disbelief, raising an eyebrow. "You've never had a Bratwurst?" he teased, feigning shock. "You've been missing out, love. They're amazing."
Bella laughed, her cheeks flushing from both the cold and her excitement. "Well, it's about time, then. Let's try it!"
They made their way to the Bratwurst stand, the sizzle of sausages on the grill making Bella's mouth water even more. The vendor greeted them cheerfully, and Bella watched as Edward ordered two Bratwursts with all the trimmings—crispy onions, sauerkraut, mustard, and a soft, fresh bun.
When they received their hot dogs, Bella stared at hers with wide eyes. It was bigger than she expected, piled high with toppings, and the aroma was irresistible. She looked up at Edward, who was already taking a hearty bite of his. He gave her a thumbs-up, chewing with a satisfied grin.
"Go on," he encouraged, nodding toward her Bratwurst. "You're going to love it."
Bella hesitated for only a second before taking a big bite. The combination of juicy sausage, tangy sauerkraut, and the perfect blend of mustard hit her taste buds, and she couldn't help but let out a delighted little moan. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Why have I never had one of these before?"
Edward laughed, watching her enjoy the food with such enthusiasm. "I told you," he said between bites. "Welcome to the world of Bratwurst. There's no going back now."
They stood together near the stall, savoring every bite of their hot dogs. The cold night air only made the warm, hearty food taste even better. Bella's fingers brushed against Edward's as they ate, and he gave her a playful nudge, causing her to giggle around her mouthful.
"This is the best first Bratwurst experience ever," Bella said with a satisfied sigh, finishing the last bite. "I don't think I'll ever forget it."
Edward wiped a bit of mustard from the corner of her mouth with his thumb, smiling at her. "I'm glad we got to share it," he said softly. "It's just another perfect moment with you."
Bella beamed, feeling completely content. As they finished their food, the market's lights twinkling around them and the joyful sounds of the holiday season filling the air, she knew this was a night she would always treasure.
With their bellies full and hearts warm from the evening's festivities, Bella and Edward decided to make their way back through the market to pick up some of the things they had admired earlier. The stalls were still busy, but the crowds only added to the festive atmosphere, with the sound of laughter and carols still filling the air.
Edward stopped at a stall filled with handcrafted goods, where he carefully selected a few thoughtful gifts for his parents—a beautiful hand-carved wooden ornament for his mom and a leather-bound journal for his dad.
When they moved on, Bella picked out gifts for her own family as well. She found a delicate scarf for her stepmom, a pair of cozy wool socks for her dad, and a some chocolates and sweets for each of her step-siblings. The vendors wrapped everything in festive paper, tying them with ribbons, and Bella felt a sense of joy, knowing she'd found something special for everyone.
As they strolled further, Edward wandered off to explore another stall selling chocolates, biscuits, and other festive sweet treats that would be perfect to have over the festive period. Bella seized the opportunity, her heart pounding with excitement, to go to a stall that had several unique trinkets. She'd spotted something earlier that she hoped Edward would love—a beautiful pocket watch with intricate engravings, perfect for someone like him who appreciated timeless, classic pieces.
Bella approached the vendor, who greeted her with a knowing smile. "Back for the watch, are you?" the vendor asked with a wink.
Bella nodded, glancing over her shoulder to ensure Edward was still occupied. "Yes, please. Could you wrap it up for me? It's a gift," she whispered, feeling a rush of anticipation.
The vendor carefully wrapped the watch in tissue paper, placing it in a small velvet-lined box before adding a layer of festive wrapping paper and a delicate bow. Bella couldn't help but smile as she tucked the gift into her shopping bag, imagining Edward's reaction when he opened it. She knew he would appreciate the thought behind it, and she couldn't wait to see the look on his face.
When she rejoined Edward, he was at the counter, purchasing an assortment of chocolates and festive foods. He turned to her with a playful grin. "Found anything good?" he asked, his eyes sparkling.
Bella returned his smile, trying to keep her excitement in check. "Just a few things for the family," she said casually, though her mind was buzzing with thoughts of the secret gift hidden in her bag. "What about you? Stocking up on sweets?"
Edward laughed, holding up a large box of chocolates truffles. "I might've gone a little overboard, but it's Christmas, right?"
Bella chuckled and squeezed his arm. "Absolutely. Christmas is all about treating yourself and the ones you love."
They spent the rest of the evening browsing the market, stopping occasionally to admire more of the lights and decorations. With their shopping bags full and their spirits high, they finally decided to call it a night. As they walked back toward Bella's apartment, arm in arm, they couldn't stop talking about all the things they'd seen, ate and bought, savoring the magic of the evening.
Bella felt a surge of affection as she glanced at Edward, knowing how much this night meant to her. She couldn't wait to give him his gift and show him just how much he meant to her. The holiday season had never felt so special, and she knew it was all because of him.
A/N: Decided to upload a extra chapter for you all :) I'm still proof reading and writing the next few chapters! Happy Friday and hope you all have a good weekend!